Today’s passage: Matthew 5:1-12
Helpful thoughts:
- Today, we start reading through “The Sermon on the Mount”. It lasts through chapter 7. The portion in verses 3-7 is called the “Beatitudes”.
- As we read through this sermon, remember the context of the whole gospel account. Jesus is going to the cross at the end of this book! The grace of God has come and the Messiah is going to save His people from their sins. The things Jesus teaches here are true of Christians as they grow in sanctification. They are NOT the things people must do in order to become Christians.
- The word translated as “blessed” repeatedly here in this passage means – happy, fortunate, blissful.
- Here are some helpful ideas that would be equated with the beatitudes listed in this passage:
- Poor in spirit=Humble
- Mourning=Godly sorrow over our sin
- Meek=Gentle, submissive, tenderhearted
- Hunger and thirst for righteousness=Intensely (As if starving and dehydrated) pursuing Christ-likeness
- Merciful=Not giving people what you think they should deserve
- Pure in heart=Sincerity, not religious for show
- Peacemakers=Pointing people to Jesus to make and mature disciples (Where else could you find peace?)
- Persecuted for righteousness sake=Persecution can include anything from physical abuse, verbal insults or even false accusation and injustice.
- A person displaying the previous characteristics for the sake of Christ will share in Christ’s sufferings. (2 Timothy 3:12)
- Getting into a political argument or being given a speeding ticket (When you really were speeding), etc. are not examples of persecution. (See list above…)
Questions to consider:
- What does Jesus obviously want His followers to be? What word was repeated several times in this passage?
- When we get upset at consequences for sin in our lives, what are we not being? Go through the list…
- In what ways might these characteristics be perceived as not “manly”? What might that tell us about the source of our definitions of manhood and womanhood?
- Which characteristics do you see the least in your life? You could ask a trusted person to help you identify a blind spot.
- Is there a sin in your life that the Spirit has brought to your mind? How could this list of characteristics help you to repent and have victory?